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yes maintenance on the boxster is not cheap. be prepared for deep pockets or know someone that is willing to work on it for you. i believe the oil filter is up on top...at least the 2010 model is. many things do require an engine drop.

i think the boxster is a far better drive than the z4...it just feels more alive or visceral...but there is that pesky cost to maintain.

there is the TT...it's very different.

find out cost to maintain the boxster...i'd go with that one instead of the z4 unless you can get the MZ4 but probably not in the price range you are looking for.

I did look at the TT - there weren't a lot of drop tops out there - that's a big requirement for me. I've always wanted a convertible.

I completely agree about the Porsche. I love the on-the-rails like handling it has. But - and this is a big but for me - I do not deal with surprise major expenses very well. The porsche has a history of problems with the RMS and IMS, even in the newer ones (less so, but still there). With BMW - I know I will have to do fixes here and there - but I highly doubt I'll need to replace my entire engine, which is a possibility with the IMS issue.

I'm gonna see if I can find a TT to test drive. The other problem with the TT is that many years ago, I checked one out and I couldn't even extend my legs in the car - my knees were up in the steering wheel. Hopefully the newer models are different.

Another option S2000, I own a 2001 Z3 Roadster and have no issue, i did look at the
Z4, but somehow the Z3 body won over the 4, unless you want a 2009 Z4 with steel hardtop..(over the $20 of course)

Funny you mention the S2000 - I went to see one today. That thing is smaller then a can of sardines. I LITERALLY twisted my hip getting out of it and now it hurts when I step!! Nope - that won't be on my books...

Really about the Z3? I was never a fan of the Z3 styling, I perferred the Z4 myself.

Lotus would be perfect...toyota engine...must be super reliable. shame about the prices. guess their rarity keeps the prices up.

I know I gotta drop it - just need the right motivation!

Yea - The Lotus would have been interesting... Not sure I'd want to keep up with maintenance. My bro in law's had some in his time - Esprits, etc. and he said they were alright, but when they had problems, big dollars...

Esprits yes are real headaches...i don't believe the issues persist with the Elise or Exige as the engine are from Toyota...same ones you find in Corollas. And the trannies are from Honda...though I'm not sure Honda makes great trannies.

the rest is body work and other annoyances but not the typical major powertrain issues found in the Esprit.